Drew's 1!!!

I can't believe this day has come! My baby turned one last week and we threw him a "car" themed party. I decorated the cake myself (ok, I admit I had a lot of help from a friend, but I did do the cupcakes completely alone) and it turned out adorable!! The food table was also super cute but we didn't get any pictures of it. It had dump trucks dumping out corndogs, carrying sandwhiches and even carrying some dulce de leche for churros. I also had traffic signs printed directing the flow of the buffet line (one way signs at the beginning, slow sign in the middle, and stop at the end).

Ok, I guess I should also blog about the birthday boy. Haha, what kind of mom am I? I was more excited about my decorations than the actual reason for celebrating. We kept the party pretty low key and only invited family this time. I think that next year we will combine Christopher's and Drew's party into 1 bigger celebration, so this way I don't get burned out with Christopher's birthday and do something small for Drew.

Today I was actually thinking about how Drew is the "perfect" first child. At first he was a very challenging baby. He didn't eat well, he didn't sleep well (until he was about 3 months), he had LOTS of colic, he loved to be held (ALL the time). Get the picture?! Christopher was not like that at all, and that's why we decided to have another one so quick. I have come to a conclusion that if Drew was born first he would still be a single child!

Anyway, he has come a LONG way in a year, and I was actually happy to have my baby turn 1. He's become a much better child. He loves to play with his brother. In fact, the first time Drew giggled real hard was when he was 5 months and he was watching Christopher jump on the couch. He absolutely enjoys watching Christopher perform his stunts and then tries to imitate them (pretty funny to watch). He's become a great eater and loves solid "people" food. He's becoming a little "fruit fly" just like Christopher (they go through so much fruit in a day).

I could just go on and on about how cute he is, but since this post is getting too big, I'll leave with some of the party pictures for now.

Cake Table. The blue truck on the right is holding the forks.

Top view of the cake.

Oh, what a proud family of their little Drew!!


Cake? What's that mom?



Umm, cake!!! I don't know what's up with him, but he's been doing these "cheesy grins" when he's happy.

He definitely got cake ALL over. Even the wall!!

Opening presents. Better, watching Christopher open his prestents.

My mom's gift included 2 camping chairs (yeah I know, Christopher scored too). Drew LOVES sitting and relaxing on his chair. Can you tell?

Terrible 2

I was so scared of Christopher turning 2 because I didn't want to deal with the tantrums. Oh, how innocent was I thinking that the terrible twos was only about tantrums!!! In our case, it means getting into anything and everything, and doing everything he shouldn't do (and he's only been 2 for 1 month. Boy I'm in trouble).

Yesterday he:

1- escaped from the mall play area 3 times (one of the times, I actually didn't see him and found him near the mall exit door)

2- ripped a bag of cookies that Cory was going to take to the family he home teaches.

3- got into the fridge a thousand times (a no-no at our house)

4- hit Drew and I a few times

5- threw his binky in the toilet (that I had just peed in and didn't have time to flush)

and the list goes on...

Today he's already been in time out twice (and he's only been up for 1 hour). Ahhh, does this ever end?

Last night when I got home from church he was still up, laying in my bed with Cory. I told Cory I would put him down. It was actually a great end to such a tough day. Christopher just cuddled with me for a good 20 minutes. He giggled when I gave him butterfly and Eskimo kisses and then he went to bed without screaming and crying. It gave me hope that today would be a better day, I'm still hanging on to that feeling. Haha

Right now he's quietly sitting down watching Caillou (which he's addicted to). I guess I better get going and give him lots of hugs and kisses.

Meanwhile I have Drew tugging at my leg begging for attention. I guess I better blog about him too. He's becoming quite the little tormentor. He lives to bug his brother. He follows Christopher around all day and loves to climb and crawl all over him. He'll take anything Christopher has in his hands, specially if it's food. Christopher has learned to eat his snacks standing on the couch or sitting on the couch arm, so Drew can't get to him. It's actually pretty funny.

Here are some of Christopher's professional 2 year old pictures. He's such a cutie!!!

Christopher is 2!!!

I can't believe my baby turned two this month!! I know it's cliché but I remember the day he was born, and the great feeling of holding him in my arms for the very first time. He just laid on top of me quietly looking at Cory and I. Definitely a very peaceful and special moment in our lives!!!!

Anyway, the little man is official 2, and to celebrate we threw him a "surfer" party. Since the kid loves water I thought the theme couldn't be more appropriate. He had a blast, and so did our kid guests. The adults had to endure the painful 107 degrees weather that day, but it was all worth it. Thanks to all those who made it, and for the great gifts!!! Here are some of my favorite pictures. If you feel like these aren't enough, just email me and I'll send you a link to the 180 other pictures Cory took during the party. :)

The birthday boy playing in his pool

The beautiful and amazing cake my friend Rachael made as her gift. It totally completed the surfer theme!!

Where the kids were entertained for almost 2 hours

My favorite picture!!! Drew hated the kiddy pool at first. Than we gave him a pretzel, and his mood changed!! Here he is all proud with his pretzel in hand

Christopher's future girl!! (Livy)

The 4 of us. Oh, how hard is it to get everyone looking and smiling at the camera?

The 4 again, but this time Drew is looking and Christopher isn't. LOL

My 2year old posing

The talented "cake lady" (aka Rachael)

Hummmmmm cake!!

opening presents

Out with the old, in with the new

We've had LOTS of changes this past month.

Kitchen

We finally got rid of our old ugly laminate countertops, and replaced them with beautiful granite!!! I'm so excited about my new kitchen. I couldn't stop starring at it after it was done. I need to send a BIG thanks to my hubby who worked really hard pulling the old countertops off and redoing all the new pluming.

old countertop

new countertop

Andrew

We are pleased to announce we have a "new" baby. We finally figured out what was wrong with our poor Drew. He's got problems with regular iron fortified formula, so he's now on a low iron formula. He's doing great, is totally happy, can use the bathroom everyday, and just seems like a new child. He's learned to crawl, pull himself up to furniture, crawl and go back to sitting position all within one week. This past week he mastered crawling all the way up the stairs. Oh boy, I'm in trouble!!

I forgot to mention that when the kids were sick last week Drew got some weird virus that left his body covered in a rash. Here's a graphic picture (that's what mom's are for!)

Drew all proud of himself for standing up next to the couch.

Christopher

Oh, where do I begin?! He's turning 2 this week and seems to have hit his terrible twos. He is getting into EVERYTHING. This past week he spilt toilet bowl cleaner all over my in-laws bathroom, drank toilet water, and finished the week with "drinking" rubbing alcohol. It wasn't so fun having to talk to poison control for the first time. I guess he never really drank it because he didn't show any of the side effects (vomiting and acting drunk).

We had the kids enrolled in swim lessons through the month of May. They both LOVED it, but aren't swimming yet. I never got a picture pf Drew in the pool, but here’s a picture of Christopher.

Car

We sold Cory's Corolla and bought a minivan. It's taking Cory and I a little time to come up with the courage to say we own a minivan, but we actually love all the comfort it brings. Oh, it's a white Kia Sedona.

How Much Is Too Much?

I have the "slight impression" I've cleaned up way too many throw-ups this past week. Really, how much puke is too much? If you ask me I would say 1 is more than enough, but I guess my kids don't think I've mastered the art or cleaning up puke. That's why they seem to be taking turns this week giving me all the opportunity to "practice". Here's how my past week has been.

Tuesday: Christopher throws up in the car
Thursday: Andrew throws up in his crib and then my bathroom floor
Saturday: Christopher throws up in his crib
Sunday: Andrew throws up on ME and him
Monday (today): Christopher throws up on the kitchen floor

Do you see a pattern here?

Anyway, the boys are sick AGAIN!! I have a ton of fun things to blog about, but I guess that will have to wait until they're well.

Until then, I hope this bug doesn't find its way to your house!!!

Sick

We've had a rough week this past week. First Christopher got sick, then he was followed by Drew, me and lastly Cory. We seem to all be finally recovering. This was the first time that the whole family got a bug together and it was not fun!

It's been on and off hot and cold here in Phoenix these past few days. It seems like we hit mid 90s for a few days to be followed by a couple days in the low 70s. On our hot days we've been enjoying the pool or just playing with water. Christopher is such a water baby he just absolutely loves getting wet. Yesterday I took him to the park. It was so hot when we got home that I just let him play with the water hose in our front yard. He LOVED it, and today he spent the day begging me to "play with agua."

I finally decided we were wasting too much water, got his sand box and filled it with water

Drew on the other hand did not enjoy the water as much. He liked being warm and dry much better!!

We went to Utah to visit my family a few weeks ago. While I was upstairs grabbing a few things I left the kids in the family room with my mom in the kitchen watching them. When I got back I discovered Christopher had helped himself to the baby puffs while Drew fully enjoyed rolling around in them. (More pictures on the Utah trip to follow.)

That stuck under Drew's nose is not a bugger, but a cereal puff.

Christopher

Here are some of his cute words:

koowi - kiwi he loves them

push button - any button: microwave, elevator, automatic doors at the mall...

mamae's hair - this one is not so cute as it is annoying. Anytime I put my hair up he MUST play with my hair accessory. And if I say "no" he just says it over and over again until I give in because I can't stand it anymore.

Drew is finally getting up on his hands and knees and trying to crawl. Not that he actaully crawls, but I'll give him an A for effort. He'll be there any minute, just needs to learn how to move those hands. It's quite funny. His hands stay put while his legs move, and the next thing you see is Drew with his bum up in the air forming a triangle with this body. LOL. Silly boy!!!